College Basketball Coach Salary: List of Highest Paid

In addition to their base salaries, coaches often receive additional compensation for bonuses, endorsements, and other incentives. Many coaches also receive additional income from television and radio shows, as well as speaking engagements.

At the lower end of the pay scale, many Division I head coaches make between $150,000 and $400,000 annually. Division II and III coaches typically make far less, with salaries ranging from $50,000 to $100,000.

The salaries of individual coaches vary widely depending on their level of success, the size of their program, and the resources available to them.

CoachTeamSalary
John CalipariKentucky$8.5 million
Bill SelfKansas$6 million
Tom IzzoMichigan St.$5.7 million
Rick BarnesTennessee$5.5 million
Bruce PearlAuburn$5.5 million
Tony BennettVirginia$4.8 million
Brad UnderwoodIllinois$4.6 million
Bob HugginsWest Virginia$4.2 million
Mick CroninUCLA$4.1 million
Eric MusselmanArkansas$4.1 million
Buzz WilliamsTexas A&M$4.1 million
Dana AltmanOregon$4 million
Tommy LloydArizona$4 million
Kevin WillardMaryland$3.9 million
Ed CooleyProvidence$3.8 million

Why Do Men’s D1 NCAAB Coaches Make So Much Money Each Year?

You might be shocked at how much some of these guys make, but just remember how much money a basketball program can generate for a school.  A good team gets 20+ home games drawing 10,000 plus in attendance, buying tickets, paying for parking, and then emptying out the concession stands.  A bad team sees the seats half-empty.  Even average teams can afford millions of dollars to the coaching staffs.

It’s no surprise that the top conferences like the ACC, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and Pac-12 litter the top of the list.  They have the biggest arenas and generate the most revenue.  Mid-majors though get addicted to winning, and they will do the best they can to hold on to someone who gives them hope of going to the tournament and competing every year.

Check out how much head guys other sports make: